Families of Wounded Police Officers Speak Publicly

by ekramer on February 23, 2009

Relatives of two Jeffersonville police officers who were shot last week spoke about their conditions today. WFPL’s Elizabeth Kramer has more.

The officers were shot during a call to a Jeffersonville Motel 6 on Thursday. Corporal Dan Lawhorn was shot twice in the leg, and Patrolman Keith Broady was shot in the chest. Both men were rushed to and remain at University Hospital.

Families members spoke about their recovery, including Officer Broady’s wife, Kristen Broady.

“He still has a huge scar across his chest where they had to go in and operate, very deep; still has the huge bullet wound on the side; very painful,” she says, “but he is trying to cooperate with the doctors and everything that he can; getting up and walking when he can; and slowly, but surely, improving.”

Rebecca Croft is Lawhorn’s mother.

“The injuries were quite severe, but the extensive work that they’ve done seems to be holding well. And the long-term prognosis is good,” Croft says.

Croft says another officer saved her son’s life by tying a dog leash around his wounded leg.

Lawhorn’s wife, Dana Lawhorn, says it’s not clear if he will regain use of his leg.

“Since there is a pulse, that is a good sign,” Lawhorn says. “But until it totally heals, that artery heals from the skin graft, I guess it’s still open for — we really — it just goes day by day.”

The alleged shooter died Friday from an apparent, self-inflicted gunshot wound at a Louisville house after a standoff with police.